I first saw the concept of 'cake pops' on The Crazy Kitchen well over a year ago now and, while I was incredibly impressed with the inventiveness and finished result, I am just too messy a cook when it comes to presentation to even contemplate making them like that. Hats off to Helen, but I hate getting gloopy hands!
Then I saw that one of my other blogging friends had been given a cake pop maker for Christmas and, because I like kitchen gadgets, I instantly wanted one despite there being none in the shops due to it's popularity. Fast forward a few months and the desire reared its head again, yet again there were none. But yesterday I managed to pop into Lakeland and buy myself one for the sum of £19.99.
The recipe given in the booklet that comes with the maker is incredibly simple!
Ingredients:
- 125g softened butter
- 125g caster sugar
- 2 medium eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 125g self raising flour
- 2tbsp milk (although I only used 1tbsp)
- Beat together the butter and sugar in a bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat the eggs in, one at a time, add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
- Sift the flour in and mix, add some milk to make it smoother and beat well.
- Put a heaped teaspoon of mix into each well on the cake pop maker, close the lid and cook for four-five minutes until the cakes have risen, are firm and golden brown.
Then to assemble them, I dug a small hold into the underside of the ball and put a small amount of chocolate into the hole before pushing the stick in. This helps hold them in place. We dipped them in melted candy melts and then into a variety of sprinkles, marshmallows and fudge pieces.
This is where I wished I'd used chocolate rather than candy melts: they're too thick to dip and coat. I'd also not dip into the sprinkles, I'd pour them on.
However, they tasted very yummy and have gone down really well with The Boy and his friends this afternoon.
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